Just in Time to Help the Distressed Homeowner

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

DATE: April 27, 2009 / BEL AIR, MD

RE/MAX 1ST ADVANTANGE IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT:

LANETTE BRANCH EARNS PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATION TO HELP HOMEOWNERS IN DANGER OF FORECLOSURE

Lanette Branch of RE/MAX 1^st Advantage in Bel Air has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, having completed extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

A short sale allows the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this scenario is all too common. A successful short sale can save a homeowner from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly (for the lenders) than foreclosures.

In the Bel Air area, a huge number of homes are in danger of foreclosing . It is happening in all price ranges and local experts say that even higher-priced “luxury’ homes are not immune.

“I’m pleased to have gained such extensive training in the area of distressed properties; this CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Branch. “It’s a true pleasure to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure and their credit from its devastating effects.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Branch with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales and can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to a foreclosure which virtually destroys the credit rating. He further detailed that these experts also may better understand market conditions that can help sellers through the emotional aspects of foreclosure.

The Distressed Property Institute opened in January 2008 and provides training for the CDPE -- the premier designation for Realtors helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales. Less than 1% of the nations real estate professionals have attained this coveted designation.

“Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible,” Charfen said.

For more information contact Lanette Branch by phone at 410-893-1349 or 410-258-0663, email at Lanette@BranchSells.com , , or on the web at BranchSells.com.

RE/MAX 1^st Advantage is home base to Realtor Lanette Branch and is conveniently located in Bel Air, Maryland at 1204 Agora Road, 21014 in the Amyclae Shopping Center. Bel Air is the county seat of Harford County and is in close proximity to Aberdeen Proving Ground, BRAC location for military families relocating from Ft. Monmouth, NJ.